Judge rules in favor of Helendale CSD

VICTORVILLE - A judge has let stand last November's narrow election that created the Helendale Community Services District.
"We are thrilled," said Kimberly Cox, general manager of the Helendale CSD.

"Honestly, I haven't seen (the ruling) yet," said Kristy Callahan, attorney for opposing the committee. "My clients are disappointed that the petition was denied. Without reading it, I don't have much to go on."

Measure K, the ballot issue to create the Helendale CSD, passed by 12 votes in November.

At issue were about 60 voters who were told by poll workers to write in the Measure K item and sign their ballots.

Superior Court Judge Kyle Brodie said he was very concerned and asked, "Was their right to exercise a secret ballot compromised by the instruction to sign it?"

The committee opposing the Helendale CSD filed a writ of mandate in December claiming that voters were disenfranchised and called for a new election.

Judge Brodie said that the 12-vote difference left a very small margin for error. But the judge went over the ballots with help from county Registrar of Voters Kari Vergil and two others from her office.

"Now we can carry out the mandates set forth by the voters last November without the cloud of irregularities hanging over us," Cox said Wednesday, a day after the judge's ruling.

Cox said the district has a capital improvement program under way - paving old patches in the road and taking care of deferred
maintenance.

CSD Board President Milo Stormo said he was very happy with the judge's decision. Speculating on whether there will be an appeal, he said, "The CSD is very popular now. I don't think there will be an appeal."

Since the election, the CSD has signed a lease on an office and hired a general manager and six full-time employees. The CSD also transferred services from the county months ahead of schedule.